FOURTEEN Armidale residents representing nine nationalities have become new Australians after a citizenship ceremony last Friday.
Mayor Laurie Bishop said the day was an important landmark for those who pledged their commitment to Australia.
“We have a very diverse culture in this country and it provides an opportunity for us all to have access to so many different people who have a wealth of information and experiences,” he said.
“I am sure that our newest citizens will add diversity and growth to our community.”
Countries of origin represented included Iraq, Germany, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Scotland, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh and China.
It was particularly special for Evangeline Esterbauer and her daughters Maria Ethyl Lasat and Maria Krisha Lasat from the Philippines, who celebrated their citizenship together.
For Scottish architect David Huntley, the ceremony marked a significant milestone after first arriving in Australia when he was 10 years old. He spent several years in Sydney with his family before returning to Scotland. It was always his ambition to return to Australia to live, in particular Armidale, where he had visited family and friends over many years.
“Thankfully where I am from in Scotland the climate is pretty cold so I am able to practice as a cold climate architect here,” he said. “Armidale has a unique climate in Australia so the skills I have brought with me are invaluable.”
A large group of family and friends celebrated the occasion with Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, council’s general manager Shane Burns and councillors Herman Beyersdorf, Jenny Bailey, Colin Gadd and Rob Richardson.
